Letter from THE WHY - activities with COVID-19

March 23, 2020

THE WHY debates ‘Freedom' at CPH:DOX 2020

March 11, 2020

After last year’s successful WHY ARGUE?, THE WHY invites you to ASK WHY TALKS, a series of conversations to challenge, provoke and illuminate you on the topic of ‘freedom’, starting from three stories of people who have risked everything to be free.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Pink Saris

March 6, 2020

Our March Film of the Month sheds light on one preeminent issue still hindering women’s empowerment today: India’s patriarchal caste system.

THE WHY Film Festival in Pakistan brings gender equality to discussion

February 11, 2020

WHY WOMEN documentaries were screened and debated this January in Pakistan - the third lowest country in the world for gender equality.

11 million views on Youtube: THE WHY's channel grows 67% in three months

February 7, 2020

FEBRUARY FILM OF THE MONTH: Accidental Anarchist

February 6, 2020

From diplomat to anarchist: Carne Ross starts doubting the Western establishment's political system and decides to go on a journey to find alternatives. Follow him on our February Film of the Month.

WHY STORIES reaches 3.3 million views online in Russia

January 30, 2020

27 films of the WHY STORIES collection are available on BBC News Russian’s Youtube Channel.

THE WHY's film wins Equality Award in Greek Documentary Festival

January 28, 2020

WHY SLAVERY? film "Maid in Hell" is awarded by the jury of the 6th Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Kayak Man

January 14, 2020

Why would a man leave his family and risk his life for an adventure? Our January FILM OF THE MONTH follows the story of Andrew McAuley’s attempt to become the first person ever to kayak from Australia to New Zealand – across one of the wildest and loneliest ocean stretches on earth.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Last Days of the Arctic

January 2, 2020

“We only have one planet and we must be respectful of it,” says Iceland's most celebrated photographer Ragnar Alexsson, portrayed in the film "Last Days of the Arctic".

FILM OF THE MONTH: My Childhood in Hell

December 2, 2019

Lisbeth Zornig Andersen has made a life-changing decision: as a 44-year-old, she is coming out as a victim of child abuse and sexual assault. She uncovers her childhood experiences in the film "My Childhood in Hell".

FILM OF THE MONTH: Fight for Justice - Gideon's Army

November 2, 2019

Public defenders in the United States have a tough job: They help felons to get a fair sentence. Therefore, they have to deal with long work hours, low pay and sometimes even clients that plan on murdering them. Watch our FILM OF THE MONTH about the fight for justice now on YouTube.

ASK WHY? Film Club gathers students to discuss human rights in Denmark

November 1, 2019

Using the cinema as a classroom, project has brought almost two thousand school students to watch and debate documentaries.

WHY STORIES documentaries to be shown in Moroccan and Tunisian TVs for the first time

October 31, 2019

Fighting for human rights: Two broadcasters, from Morocco and Tunisia, will be releasing several WHY STORIES films – in dubbed Arabic versions. A historical milestone.

WHY SLAVERY? documentary series screened in Nepal for the first time

October 11, 2019

Documentaries screened offered a glimpse on the harsh reality faced by migrant domestic workers across the Middle East - which is also a major issue in Nepal.

The many dangers of micro and nano plastic particles - should we all be panicking?

October 10, 2019

Did you know there is plastic in chewing gum? In anti-wrinkle cream? In the “paper” disposable cup you sip your coffee from?‍ On the 3rd of October, scientists from all over the world met to discuss the danger micro and nano plastics can pose to human health at the Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam. 

FILM OF THE MONTH: Leaving the Cult

October 8, 2019

How is it to abandon your family to escape a polygamist Mormon cult that implements rape, incest and arranged marriage of underage girls? Watch our October FILM OF THE MONTH now on YouTube. 

New WHY STORIES season broadcasts thought-provoking films for the 5th year

September 27, 2019

WHY STORIES gets to its 5th season having reached 400 million viewers worldwide.

WHY SLAVERY? films raise awareness of human trafficking in Senegal

September 16, 2019

Almost 300 people have watched WHY SLAVERY? films in screenings in Senegal, a country that faces issues like human trafficking and forced labor.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Sisters in Law

September 11, 2019

Learn more about "Sisters in Law", the film available this September at our Youtube Channel.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Putin’s Forgotten Children

July 4, 2019

This July, we have chosen the award-winning film ‘Putin’s Forgotten Children’ as our Film of the Month - available to watch free until August on our YouTube Channel.

WHY SLAVERY? ‘Dollar Heroes’ wins a Golden Nymph at the Monte Carlo TV Festival!

July 3, 2019

The investigative documentary Dollar Heroes: North Korea’s Secret Slaves has received international recognition as the official winner of the ‘News’ category in the 2019 Monte Carlo Television Festival.

Can Documentaries make a Difference? THE WHY present at Olbia Film Network

June 24, 2019

THE WHY was invited to the Olbia Film Network to present our work & meet Filmmakers,Producers and Distributors from Sardinia, Italy and beyond.

WHY SLAVERY? reaches hundreds in human-trafficking hot-spot Nairobi

June 20, 2019

THE WHY delivers on its promise to reach new audiences in undeserved region through its proud partnership with HAART (Awareness against Human Trafficking) in Kenya.

FILM OF THE MONTH: My Afghanistan

June 7, 2019

This June, we have chosen our award-winning WHY STORIES film, My Afghanistan, as our film of the month.

How can widespread information help us reach the UN Global Goals? THE WHY CEO discusses at LSE

May 16, 2019

How can we foster meaningful engagement and action towards the realization of the Global Goals? THE WHY CEO Mette Hoffmann Meyer, visited students at LSE to discuss, on a special panel discussion as part of the Global Educator's Challenge Award.

When did you last ASK WHY? - The Global Festival of Action Sustainable Development

May 15, 2019

When did you last ask why? THE WHY takes centre stage at the Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development to discuss the importance of an informed and engaged global citizenry for the realization of the SDG's.

‘Selling Children’ Back to the Source - Screenings in Rural India

April 13, 2019

On the 13th of April, the WHY SLAVERY film ‘Selling Children’ was screened to over 200 Dalit people in the rural community of Nandyal, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

WHY STORIES expands into Tanzania

April 4, 2019

THE WHY is proud to announce it's latest collaboration with Clouds TV in Tanzania.

'Maid in Hell' and 'The Benefits of a Toilet' screening at UN HQ in New York

March 22, 2019

Last week our award-winning films, ‘The Benefits of a Toilet’ and ‘Maid in Hell’ were screened to a full audience at UN HQ in New York.

WHY SLAVERY? reaches young people in Nigeria with important warning of risk

March 20, 2019

In collaboration with the non-profit organization; PlaysafeFoundation, THE WHY has hosted screenings of the WHY SLAVERY? Film Maid in Hell reaching 5000 children in schoolsaround the country.

‘Selling Children’ Community Screenings in India

March 16, 2019

On the 16th and 17th of March THE WHY’s partner New Beginnings Charitable Trust hosted two screenings of WHY:SLAVERY film ‘Selling Children’ in two villages in Andhra Pradesh, India.

IWD Screening in Kibera slum (Kenya)

March 8, 2019

In collaboration with Docubox and Amani Kibera, THE WHY hosted a community screening for 50 people of our critically-acclaimed WHY SLAVERY? film Maid in Hell.

FILM OF THE MONTH: State of Women

March 1, 2019

It’s women’s history month and to celebrate women everywhere, we’ve chosen our WHY WOMEN? film State of Women as our film of the month!

Maid in Hell Screening with Docubox, in Nairobi - Kenya

February 25, 2019

In partnership with Docubox, THE WHY hosted a screening of the critically-acclaimed Maid in Hell to a 125 large audience in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

Press Release: Collaboration between WHY SLAVERY? and the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office

February 21, 2019

The WHY SLAVERY film Maid in Hell was screened at workshops run to sensitize military personnel to recognise the risk of slavery arising out of conflict.

Screening of A Woman Captured at UK Permanent Mission to the EU

February 19, 2019

On the 19th of January, THE WHY Foundation continued its collaboration with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office with its latest screening of the award-winning WHY SLAVERY? film A Woman Captured in Brussels,Belgium.

Special Screening with the Spouses of Ambassadors to Denmark

February 13, 2019

The Why was pleased to host Spouses of the Official Ambassadors to Denmark from countries around the world for a screening of our critically acclaimed WHY SLAVERY? film: Maid in Hell.

WHY ARGUE? @ CPH:DOX 2019

February 12, 2019

WHY ARGUE? is a series of HOUR conversations about power structures, facts, media and the right to ASK WHY. This March, as part of the CPH:DOX 2019 official programme, we invite you to join us to take part in these intimate and inspiring dialogues as known from the French Salon tradition.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Please Vote for Me

February 1, 2019

This February, we have chosen our award-winning WHY DEMOCRACY? film Please Vote for Me as our film of the month.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Park Avenue

January 1, 2019

Our ‘Film of the Month’ feature is back and with it we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with the latest favourites from THE WHY HQ. We're starting off the season with the critically acclimaed film Park Avenue, directed by Alex Gibney.

A Woman Captured screened at the British Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria

December 18, 2018

 Last week, A Woman Captured - one of the six WHY SLAVERY? films - was screened at the British Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, following a similar screening in Beijing.

THE WHY advances human rights at UN City

December 13, 2018

The 10th of December marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.The Why was invited to host a screening of the WHY SLAVERY? Film Maid in Hell, followed by a debate on modern slavery, which is explicitly included in article 4 of the declaration: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Screening at Mwanga Institute in the Democratic Republic of Congo

December 4, 2018

The Why organised a WHY SLAVERY? screening at the Mwanga Institute in the Democratic Republic of Congo in collaboration with COSCAE, La Coalition des Organisations de la Société Civile Anti-Esclavagistes (The Coalition of Anti-Slavery Civil Society Organisations).

A Woman Captured screened at the British Embassy in Beijing

December 3, 2018

Following the successful internal screening of Maid in Hell at the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office in October, The Why has worked hard to extend its collaboration with diplomatic actors and offices all over the world. Last week, A Woman Captured - one of the six WHY SLAVERY? films - was screened at the British Embassy in Beijing.

THE WHY wins German Design Award

November 23, 2018

THE WHY proudly announces that we have received the German Design Award; Our WHY WOMEN? short film “The Benefits of a Toilet”, produced by Simon Andersen Nørredam, Trine Beckett & Peter Stenbæk, has won the 2019 “'Excellent Communications Design - Audiovisual'' award!

THE WHY calls for films on PLASTIC

November 20, 2018

Plastic is a revolutionary material, but it's usability and low production cost has brought us to the brink of an environmental disaster. In response, THE WHY is looking for ambitious filmmakers interested in bringing the issue of plastic pollution to life.

THE WHY calls for completed films

November 20, 2018

We are currently looking for 20 completed films for season 4 of WHY STORIES, within the following categories: culture & everyday life, civil & political rights, war & peace, inequality & development, and gender & sexuality. 

WHY SLAVERY? at Tutti Nello Stesso Piatto Festival

November 5, 2018

This week, the film and food festival Tutti Nello Stesso Piatto is premiering in Trento, Italy. The festival will be screening more than 30 films during three weeks, including 3 WHY SLAVERY? films; Maid in Hell, Jailed in America and Selling Children

WHY STORIES in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda

November 1, 2018

This week, we are happy to announce that we have signed a contract with Azam TV, introducing the WHY STORIES? documentaries to an entirely new audience in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda. 

A Woman Captured: the heart-breaking story that conquered the world

October 30, 2018

A Woman Captured has been hugely successful and praised by critics, filmmakers and human rights advocates alike. Read more about the awards and nominations this film has rightfully earned.

DokuFest in Kosovo show WHY POVERTY? short films

October 26, 2018

THE WHY is pleased to announce another chapter of our collaboration with DokuFest, an international documentary and short film festival hosted annually in Kosovo. This fall, WHY POVERTY? (2012) short films have been acquired to be a part of their ground-breaking project “Cinema at Your Door”.

IDA nomination for Best Curated Series

October 25, 2018

We are so happy and proud to announce that the WHY SLAVERY? series has been nominated by the International Documentary Association for the Best Curated Series Award!

Introducing WHY SLAVERY co-producer: The Open University

October 24, 2018

THE WHY and The Open University joined forces for the production of the WHY SLAVERY? Campaign, to shed light on the 40.3 million people living in the shadow of enslavement.

WHY SLAVERY? Local outreach in Denmark

October 19, 2018

The Why has had a busy week with WHY SLAVERY? events and activities happening around Denmark.

WHY SLAVERY? screening at the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Modern Slavery Unit

October 18, 2018

THE WHY was proudly invited to present our WHY SLAVERY? film Maid in Hell as part of a British government initiative to end modern slavery.

WHY SLAVERY? discussion on "Deadline"

October 16, 2018

Monday 15th of October, one week after our offical WHY SLAVERY? launch, the issue of modern slavery was discussed in the Danish news program “Deadline”, aired on public broadcaster DR. 

WHY SLAVERY? screenings at St Louis University Belgium

October 16, 2018

THE WHY is proud to collaborate with the Samilia Foundation & the St Louis University Law Department in Brussels, Belgium to engage over 500 students with the issue of modern slavery.

Official WHY SLAVERY? launch at Absalon in Copenhagen

October 11, 2018

We want to thank everyone who attended the launch of the WHY SLAVERY? campaign and the premier of "Maid in Hell". Have a look at some pictures from the event!

WHY SLAVERY? Screening at the European Parliament

October 9, 2018

The WHY SLAVERY? documentary "North Korea's Secret Slaves: Dollar Heroes" was screened at European Parliament in Brussels as part of initiative to stop the exploitation of North Korean workers in Poland.

Nadia Murad, former Yazidi slave, wins Nobel's Peace Prize

October 5, 2018

Today, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence in warzones.

WHY SLAVERY? Premiere at Absalon

October 4, 2018

On the 8th of October, the WHY SLAVERY? campaign will officially launch, at the cultural center Absalon in Copenhagen. This date marks the start of the worldwide broadcasting schedule of the 6 films that are part of the campaign. 

CEO Mette at the UN

October 3, 2018

THE WHY’s CEO and Executive Producer Mette Hoffmann Meyer has spent the last week in New York, advocating the end of modern slavery in the United Nations. 

WHY STORIES? and WHY SLAVERY?: Now in Albania!

October 3, 2018

THE WHY proudly announces a new WHY STORIES? and WHY SLAVERY? broadcaster: Albanian Radio and Television - RTSH.

WORLD STORIES becomes WHY STORIES?

October 1, 2018

As a documentary film organization we want to encourage people to ASK WHY? In keeping with this ethos, we’ve made the decision to rename our preeminent WORLD STORIES series: WHY STORIES? 

WHY SLAVERY? Ambassador in the UN: Shandra Woworuntu

September 28, 2018

Our WHY SLAVERY? ambassador Shandra Woworuntu is in the UN this week, continuing the fight against human trafficking.

New campaign about plastic pollution

April 6, 2018

An urgent and ambitious global awareness campaign that uses documentary film, short film and public engagement activities to expose the devastating consequences of plastic pollution on our planet.

WORLD STORIES now in Mongolia

February 21, 2018

THE WHY is thrilled to announce its latest, East Asian partnership with Mongolian National Broadcaster–MNB.

WHY SLAVERY? Launching at united nations general assembly

September 20, 2017

The launch event will present a unique collaboration between UN member states and THE WHY.

WHY STORIES screening at Kunsthal Charlotteborg

September 2, 2017

In collaboration with Kunsthal Charlottenborg we invite youto 4 screenings with compelling documentaries by some of the best filmmakers inthe world.

WHY DEMOCRACY? Re-release

August 21, 2017

On the 10th anniversary of their launch WHY DEMOCRACY? films are now more relevant than ever. These award-winning films are now available to watch online.

THE WHY @ Sheffield DocFest

June 13, 2017

Come meet THE WHY team at DocFest!

The why co-founder and executive producer, Nick Fraser, wins Bafta special award

May 15, 2017

During his extensive career he has been the editor of BBC’s Storyville from 1997 -2016 and has won an astonishing five BAFTAs, four Oscars, fifteen Griersons, three Peabody Awards and three International Emmys.

THE WHY - Danish Design Award Winner 2017

May 15, 2017

The Why awarded Danish Design Award 2017 for its short film ‘Benefits of a Toilet’ in the category MESSAGE RECEIVED.

WHY WOMEN? Mini Film Festival

March 20, 2017

The Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations and THE WHY Foundation are hosting WHY WOMEN? mini film festival.

WHY ARGUE? CPH:DOX 2017

March 1, 2017

WHY ARGUE? is a series of 30-minute conversations between 2 people about power structures, facts, media and the right to ASK WHY. We invite you to intimate and inspiring dialogues as known from the French Salon tradition.

Are you our new producer?

February 6, 2017

THE WHY is looking for a dedicated and passionate individual to join our small but growing team in Copenhagen, Denmark.